Skate sharpening fixture

ABSTRACT

A skate sharpening fixture. The skate sharpening figure including an anvil base plate that is suspended on a lower plate. An upper anvil plate is connected to the anvil base plate and presents an upper anvil surface for resting a skate blade therealong. A clamp assembly is mounted relative to the upper anvil plate and includes a clamp for biasing the skate blade against the upper anvil surface to establish a closed and clamped position of the skate sharpening fixture. At least one of the anvil base plate, the lower plate, or the clamp are comprised of a lightweight material for reducing an overall weight of the skate sharpening fixture and placing a center of gravity of the skate sharpening fixture in close proximity to an operator&#39;s position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/015,158 filed Jun. 20, 2014. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a skate sharpening fixture or holder, and a method of using same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This section provides a general summary of background information and the comments and examples provided in this section are not necessarily prior art to the present disclosure.

A number of skate sharpening fixtures have been developed for use with skate sharpening machines. These fixtures hold a skate blade in place while the skate blade is passed along a grinding wheel to sharpen the skate blade. The orientation of the skate blade with respect to the grinding wheel is crucial, and if the skate blade and grinding wheel are not properly aligned, the skate blade will be sharpened in an unsatisfactory fashion. Examples of conventional skate sharpening fixtures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,827,768 and 8,888,567.

Although conventional skate sharpening fixtures offer control of the skate blade orientation during sharpening, they are very heavy and difficult for an operator to manipulate during the sharpening process. As a result, operator fatigue occurs during extended use of these existing skate sharpening fixtures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This section provides a general summary of the present disclosure and is not intended to be a comprehensive and exhaustive listing of all of its features, objectives and aspects or of its full scope.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a skate sharpening fixture that addresses and overcomes the shortcoming associated with conventional skate sharpening fixtures.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a skate sharpening fixture configured to optimize positioning of the center of gravity of the fixture and of the fixture installed with a skate to provide enhanced operator control and sharpening precision.

In accordance with these and other aspects of the present disclosure, a skate sharpening fixture is provided comprising: an anvil base plate suspended on a lower plate; an anvil upper plate connected to the anvil base plate and presenting an upper anvil support surface for resting a skate blade thereon; and a clamp assembly having a clamp member mounted on the upper anvil plate for movement of a clamp support surface relative to the anvil support surface to establish a closed and clamped position and secure the skate blade between the support surfaces; wherein at least one of the anvil base plate, the lower plate and the clamp member are fabricated from a lightweight material to reduce overall weight and locate the center of gravity of the fixture in close proximity to the operator.

In accordance with these and other aspects of the disclosure, a skate sharpening fixture is further provided comprising: a lower plate extending between an operator side and an anvil side for engaging a table; an anvil base plate moveably supported by the lower plate; an upper anvil plate extending from the anvil base plate in generally perpendicular relationship to the lower plate and proximate to the anvil side of the lower plate and presenting an upper anvil surface extending in spaced and parallel relationship with the lower plate for supporting a side of an ice skate; a clamp presenting a clamp surface disposed in spaced and parallel relationship with the upper anvil surface and linearly moveable relative to the upper anvil surface for clamping the skate blade between the clamp surface and the upper anvil surface to secure the skate blade in position for being sharpened; at least one operator control connected to the lower plate adjacent to the operator side for being gripped by an operator to allow the skate sharpening fixture to be moved by the operator; and at least one of the lower plate, the anvil base plate, or the clamp being comprised of a lightweight material for reducing an overall weight of the skate sharpening fixture and placing a center of gravity of the skate sharpening fixture toward the operator side of the lower plate when a skate is secured by the skate sharpening fixture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a skate sharpening fixture constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the skate sharpening fixture shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the skate sharpening fixture illustrating a preferred center of gravity;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the skate sharpening fixture illustrating a blade of a hockey or figure skate disposed therein and adjacent to a grinding wheel;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the skate sharpening fixture illustrating the center of gravity relative to the hockey or figure skate;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the skate sharpening fixture illustrating the skate blade disposed therein;

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged portion of FIG. 1 for showing bottom wear pads disposed along a bottom surface of the skate sharpening fixture; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the skate sharpening fixture shown in FIG. 7 and illustrating a felt pad disposed adjacent the bottom wear pads and along the bottom surface.

Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views provided by the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments of a skate sharpening fixture constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure will now be more fully described. Each of these non-limiting example embodiments is provided so that this disclosure is thorough and fully conveys the scope of the inventive concepts, features and advantages to those skilled in the art. To this end, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices and mechanisms associated with the skate sharpening fixture to provide a thorough understanding of each of the embodiments associated with the present disclosure. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, not all specific details described herein need to be employed, the example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and thus should not be construed or interpreted to limit the scope of the disclosure.

With reference now to the drawings, a skate sharpening fixture 10 for use in sharpening a blade 12 of a hockey or figure skate 14 is shown. Skate sharpening fixture 10 includes an anvil unit 16 having an anvil base plate 18 which floats or is suspended on a bottom or lower plate 20. The lower plate extends between an operator side 21 and an anvil side 23. The operator side 21 is disposed adjacent to an operator position 25 where an operator stands during use of the skate sharpening fixture 10 (as best illustrated in FIG. 3). Anvil unit 16 also includes an upper anvil plate 22 that is integrally connected with anvil base plate 18 and which provides an upper anvil surface 24 for one side of skate blade 12 to rest along when skate blade 12 is disposed in skate sharpening fixture 10 and is being sharpened by a grinding wheel 26 (Best shown in FIG. 4). The upper anvil plate 22 extends from the anvil base plate 18 in generally perpendicular relationship to the lower plate 20 from a location that is proximate the anvil side 23 of the lower plate 20. A clamp assembly 28 is mounted to a clamp stanchion segment 30 of upper anvil plate 20 and includes a clamp 32 which, as best illustrated in FIG. 4, includes a lower clamp surface 34 designed to be biased against the other side of skate blade 12 during the clamping and sharpening operation. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in operation clamp assembly 28 effectuates a clamping of skate blade 12 between upper anvil surface 22 and clamp surface 34.

Skate sharpening fixture 10 also includes a plurality of adjustment devices 36 each provided for adjusting an orientation of anvil base plate 16 with respect to lower plate 20 during or prior to sharpening of skate blade 12. Put another way, the plurality of adjustment devices 36 are provided to allow a position of anvil unit 16 to be altered so that skate blade 12 is properly aligned with grinding wheel 26 of a skate sharpening machine, shown diagrammatically as block 38 in FIG. 4. This allows for skate sharpening fixture 10 to be used with or calibrated to any skate sharpening machine. Moreover, the adjustment feature of skate sharpening fixture 10, provided by way of adjustment devices 36, allows the floating or suspended anvil base plate 18 to be tweaked in any direction relative to lower plate 20, thereby allowing skate blades 12 to be sharpened in a variety of ways.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of adjustment devices 36 are each located at a desired point of adjustment and can be used to raise or lower a respective portion of anvil base plate 16. Each adjustment device 36 includes an adjustment knob 40 secured to a bolt 42 which extends through leg segments 44 of anvil base plate 18 and into threaded engagement with lower plate 20. In a preferred arrangement, a spring 46 surrounds each bolt 42 and is positioned between an upper planar surface 48 of lower plate 20 and an underside surface 50 of anvil base plate 18. Spring 46 acts to bias anvil base plate 18 against adjustment knobs 40 that are attached to the other end of bolt 42.

Clamp assembly 28 additionally includes a cam member 52 that is rotatable about a pivot axis that extends through the cam member 52. A cam handle 54 extends outwardly from the cam member 52 for allowing a user to provide the rotational movement of the cam member 52. A flange segment 62 extends horizontally from the clamp stanchion segment 30 over the cam member 52. An adjustment mechanism 60 extends downwardly through the flange segment 62. Rotation of the cam handle 54 causes the cam member 54 to engage a cam surface 39 of the adjustment mechanism 60. Since the adjustment mechanism 55 is stationary, the cam member 54 forces the clamp 32 downward, thus clamping the skate blade 12 between the upper anvil surface 24 and the clamp surface 34 in a closed position.

In operation, skate blade 12 is first placed between upper anvil surface 24 and clamp surface 34 in an open position, after which a user manually rotates cam 52 by way of cam handle 54. Therefore, this camming action, established between cam 36 and the cam surface 39, forces clamp 32 to move downward, thereby resulting in a clamping of skate blade 12 between upper anvil surface 24 and clamp surface 34 to establish the closed position of clamp effectuate a clamping of skate blade 12 in skate sharpening fixture 10. Once clamped, skate blade 12 is secured for subsequent sharpening by grinding wheel 26. In a non-limiting example, adjustment mechanism 60 includes a threaded fastener 60 having a head segment 66 and a bolt segment 68. Rotation of the threaded fastener causes the fastener to vertically move relative to the flange segment 62, thus modifying the resulting displacement of the clamp 32 during rotation of the cam handle 54 to permit a desired clamping force to be established against the blade 12. A spring 72 is disposed between head segment 64 and flange segment 62 of stanchion 30 to bias the adjustment mechanism in an upward position.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6, clamp 32 and upper anvil plate 22 present a pair of aligned and exposed vertical surfaces 74 and 76, respectively, which are disposed adjacent to grinding wheel 26 during a sharpening of skate blade 12. As is customary practice, a stone is used to remove burrs from the sides of skate blade 12 during the sharpening process. However, the use of this stone leads to excessive wear of skate sharpening fixture 10, namely wear of both clamp 32 and upper anvil plate 22. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, wear-resistant plates 80 and 82 having a low friction wear surfaces are respectively disposed on exposed vertical surfaces 74 and 76 of clamp 32 and the upper anvil plate 22 to minimize or prevent wear, and thus damage, to skate sharpening fixture 10 during the blade sharpening process. In a preferred arrangement, wear-resistant plate 80 is adhered to clamp 32 and wear-resistant plate 82 is adhered to upper anvil plate 22 using an adhesive backing. However other means of affixing or adhering wear-resistant plates 80, 82 could be used without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. In a preferred arrangement, wear-resistant plates 80, 82 are comprised of an ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene to provide the low friction, wear-resistant properties. However, other wear resistant materials, such as bronze, could alternatively be used without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. Further, in a preferred arrangement, wear resistant plates 80, 82 each a length that extends generally parallel to the upper anvil surface 24 and a width that extends parallel to the exposed vertical surfaces 74, 76. The length is greater than the width such that the wear-resistant plates 80, 82 substantially cover the entirety of the vertical surfaces 74, 76.

As illustrated throughout the Figures, skate sharpening fixture 10 includes operator control points 90 which are located adjacent the operator side 21 of the lower plate 20 and the operator's body to allow for precise control of the location of skate sharpening fixture 10 during a sharpening operation. As is known, a sharpening of skate blade 12 necessarily requires precise operator control of the skate sharpening fixture, especially during a sharpening of a toe or heel section of skate blade 12. However, as previously mentioned, existing skate sharpening fixtures are difficult to precisely manipulate and control during the sharpening process, mainly due to the weight of the existing skate sharpening fixtures. For example, existing fixtures on the market can weigh approximately seven (7) pounds, which leads to a center of gravity for existing fixtures which is located closer to the grinding wheel 26 than is optimal. Thus, when the center of gravity is located this close to the grinding wheel 26, the precise control that is necessarily required to operate the skate sharpening fixture is compromised.

In a preferred management, at least one bottom plate 20, upper anvil plate 22 clamp 32, operator control points 90, or other components of clamping assembly 28 or skate sharpening fixture 10 are comprised of lightweight materials to significantly reduce the overall weight of skate sharpening fixture 10. This reduction in weight effectuates a center of gravity for skate sharpening fixture 10 which is disposed closer to the operator's position than those achieved in existing skate sharpening fixtures. Put another way, the use of lightweight materials in skate sharpening fixture 10, especially for components disposed adjacent grinding wheel 26, facilitates a movement of the center of gravity for skate sharpening fixture 10 closer to the operator. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the skate 14 is not clamped in skate sharpening fixture 10, a center of gravity, denoted by line 91 is spaced from the clamp stanchion segment 30 toward the operator side 21 of the bottom plate 20. As illustrated in FIG. 5, when skate 14 is clamped in skate sharpening fixture 10, a center of gravity, denoted by line 92, passes next adjacent a sole portion 94 of skate 14, spaced further from the stanchion segment 30 than without the skate being fitted on the skate sharpening fixture 10. The movement of the center of gravity closer to an operating position of skate sharpening fixture 10 facilitates more precise control by way of operator control points 90 than is achievable in the existing skate sharpening fixtures. Put another way, the movement of the center of gravity by way of the lighter components provides better tactile feedback/feel to an operator, allowing for more precise operation of skate sharpening fixture 10.

In a preferred arrangement, one or more of lower plate 20, upper anvil plate 22, clamp 32, or other components of clamping assembly 28 or skate sharpening fixture 10 are constructed from case aluminum or bronze. The casting process for these components facilitates a unitary component as well as the incorporation of the lightweight materials into skate sharpening fixture 10, which leads to not only a weight but also a cost reduction for skate sharpening fixture 10. However, other lightweight materials could be utilized without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. In addition, adjustment knobs 40 could be cast from manganese bronze to not only reduce weight, but also minimize wear.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, skate sharpening fixture 10 includes bottom wear pads 100 attached to a bottom portion 102 of lower plate 20, with bottom wear pads 100 disposed underneath each of operator control points 90. Since skate sharpening fixture 10 is regularly tilted during the sharpening process to check the condition of skate blade 12, bottom wear pads 100 prevent damage to both skate sharpening fixture 10 as well as a table on which 104 skate sharpening fixture 10 rests. In a preferred arrangement, a fastener such as a screw 104 or the like attaches both bottom wear pads 100 and operator control points 90 to lower or bottom plate 20. Accordingly, bottom wear pads 100 can easily be removed and replaced, as needed. As best shown in FIG. 8, a felt pad 106 extends along bottom portion 102 of base plate 20 and, in a preferred arrangement, extends from bottom portion 102 a greater distance than each of bottom wear pads 100. As a result, felt pad 106, as opposed to bottom wear pads 100, contacts a table when skate sharpening fixture 10 is disposed thereon.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A skate sharpening fixture comprising: an anvil base plate suspended on a lower plate; an upper anvil plate connected to the anvil base plate and presenting an upper anvil surface for resting a skate blade therealong; a clamp assembly mounted relative to the upper anvil plate and including a clamp for biasing the skate blade against the upper anvil surface to establish a closed and clamped position of the skate sharpening fixture; and wherein at least one of the anvil base plate, the lower plate or the clamp are comprising of a lightweight material for reducing an overall weight of the skate sharpening fixture and placing a center of gravity of the skate sharpening fixture in close proximity to an operator's position.
 2. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of the anvil base plate, the lower plate, or the clamp are constructed from case aluminum or bronze.
 3. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the clamp and the upper anvil plate present an exposed vertical surface which is disposed adjacent to a grinding wheel during a sharpening operation of the skate blade; and a wear resistant plate disposed on at least one of the exposed vertical surfaces of the clamp or the upper anvil plate to minimize or prevent wear of the skate sharpening fixture during the blade sharpening operation.
 4. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 4 wherein the wear resistant plate is comprising of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
 5. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 1 further comprising bottom wear pads attached to a bottom portion of the lower plate to prevent damage to both the skate sharpening fixture as well as a table on which the skate sharpening fixture rests.
 6. A skate sharpening fixture comprising: a lower plate extending between an operator side and an anvil side for engaging a table; an anvil base plate moveably supported by said lower plate; an upper anvil plate extending from said anvil base plate in generally perpendicular relationship to said lower plate and proximate to said anvil side of said lower plate and presenting an upper anvil surface extending in spaced and parallel relationship with said lower plate for supporting a side of an ice skate; a clamp presenting a clamp surface disposed in spaced and parallel relationship with said upper anvil surface and linearly moveable toward and away from said upper anvil surface for clamping the skate blade between said clamp surface and said upper anvil surface to secure the skate blade in position for being sharpened; at least one operator control connected to said lower plate adjacent to said operator side for being gripped by an operator to allow said skate sharpening fixture to be moved by the operator; and at least one of said lower plate, said anvil base plate, or said clamp being comprised of a lightweight material for reducing an overall weight of said skate sharpening fixture and placing a center of gravity of said skate sharpening fixture toward said operator side of said lower plate when a skate is secured by said skate sharpening fixture.
 7. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 6 wherein at least one of said anvil base plate, said lower plate, or said clamp are constructed from case aluminum.
 8. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 6 wherein at least one of said anvil base plate, said lower plate, or said clamp are constructed from bronze.
 9. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said clamp and said upper anvil plate present an exposed vertical surface extending generally perpendicularly to said upper anvil surface for being disposed adjacent to a grinding wheel during a sharpening operation of the skate blade, and a wear resistant plate disposed on at least one of said exposed vertical surfaces of said clamp or said upper anvil plate to minimize or prevent wear of said skate sharpening fixture during the blade sharpening operation.
 10. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said wear resistant plates have a length extending parallel to said upper anvil surface and a width extending parallel to said exposed vertical surface with said length being greater than said width.
 11. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 9 wherein said wear resistant plate includes a pair of wear resistant plates each disposed on one of said vertical surfaces of said clamp and said upper anvil plate.
 12. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 9 wherein said wear resistant plate is comprised of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
 13. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 9 further including an adhesive disposed between said wear resistant plate and said vertical surface for securing said wear resistant plate to said vertical surface.
 14. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 6 wherein said lower plate includes a bottom portion, and at least one bottom wear pad is attached to said bottom portion to prevent damage to both said skate sharpening fixture as well as the table on which said skate sharpening fixture rests during tilting movement of said skate sharpening fixture.
 15. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 14 wherein said at least one bottom wear pad is attached to said bottom portion of said lower plate in alignment with said at least one operator control.
 16. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a fastener extending through and attaching said at least one bottom wear pad to said bottom portion to allow said bottom wear pad to be removed and replaced.
 17. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 14 further including a felt pad disposed against said bottom portion of said lower plate and spaced from said wear pad for engaging the table to prevent damage to both said skate sharpening fixture as well as the table when said skate sharpening fixture is not tilted relative to the table, and said felt pad having a larger surface area than said wear pad.
 18. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 17 wherein said felt pad extends further from said bottom portion of said lower plate than said bottom wear pad to allow said felt pad to engage the table when said skate sharpening fixture is not tilted relative to the table.
 19. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least one operator control includes a pair of operator controls spaced from one another and each disposed adjacent to said operator side of said lower plate.
 20. A skate sharpening fixture as set forth in claim 6 further including a plurality of adjustment devices interconnecting said lower plate and said anvil base plate to provide movement of said anvil base plate relative to said lower plate, each of said adjustment devices including an adjustment knob for being rotated by an operator, and each of said adjustment devices being of a manganese bronze material for reducing the weight of said skate sharpening fixture to place the center of gravity of said skate sharpening fixture further toward said operator side and for minimizing wear to said adjustment knobs. 